JP2021117474A - Drum cartridge and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drum cartridge which is easy for a user to hold, and an image forming apparatus including the drum cartridge.
A drum cartridge 5Y includes a photosensitive drum, a drum cleaner 56, drum side plates 51A and 51B, a transport device 57, and a pipe 58. The drum side plate 51A supports one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. The drum side plate 51B is located away from the drum side plate 51A in the axial direction and supports the other end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction. The drum cleaner 56 cleans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The transfer device 57 transfers the transfer residual toner from the drum cleaner 56 to the pipe 58. The pipe 58 is located between the drum side plate 51A and the drum side plate 51B and extends in the axial direction. One end of the pipe 58 in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 51A, and the other end of the pipe 58 in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 51B.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

The present disclosure relates to a drum cartridge and an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, a drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a drum cleaner, a first drum side plate, a second drum side plate, a pipe, and a transport device. The second drum side plate is located away from the first drum side plate in the axial direction. The pipe projects from the first drum side plate toward the second drum side plate. The transfer device transfers the transfer residual toner from the cleaning housing to the pipe (see Patent Document 1 below).

JP-A-2017-146509

As described in Patent Document 1, in the drum cartridge, there is no member that can be grasped by the user between the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate.

Therefore, it is difficult for the user to hold the drum cartridge.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a drum cartridge that is easy for a user to hold, and an image forming apparatus including the drum cartridge.

(1) The drum cartridge of the present disclosure includes a photosensitive drum, a drum cleaner, a first drum side plate, a second drum side plate, a pipe, and a transport device. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about the drum shaft. The drum shaft extends in the axial direction.

The drum cleaner includes a cleaning member and a cleaning housing. The cleaning member cleans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. The cleaning housing contains the transfer residual toner. The transfer residual toner is removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum by the cleaning member.

The first drum side plate supports one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction.

The second drum side plate is located away from the first drum side plate in the axial direction. The second drum side plate supports the other end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction.

The pipe is located between the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate in the axial direction. The pipe extends axially. One end of the pipe in the axial direction is connected to the first drum side plate. The other end of the pipe in the axial direction is connected to the second drum side plate.

The transfer device transfers the transfer residual toner from the cleaning housing to the pipe.

According to such a configuration, there is a pipe extending in the axial direction between the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate.

Therefore, the user can grab the pipe and hold the drum cartridge.

As a result, the user can easily hold the drum cartridge.

(2) The drum cartridge may support the toner cartridge. The toner cartridge includes a toner housing. The toner housing may have a toner discharge port and a transfer residual toner receiving port. The toner discharge port can discharge toner. The transfer residual toner receiving port can accept the transfer residual toner. The pipe may have a transfer residual toner discharge port. The transfer residual toner discharge port can discharge the transfer residual toner. With the toner cartridge supported by the drum cartridge, the transfer residual toner discharge port may communicate with the transfer residual toner inlet.

(3) The transfer residual toner discharge port may be located at the center of the pipe in the axial direction.

According to such a configuration, the transfer residual toner can be discharged from the central portion in the axial direction.

Therefore, the transfer residual toner can be uniformly stored in the transfer residual toner accommodating portion for accommodating the discharged transfer residual toner in the axial direction.

(4) The drum cartridge may further include a developing device. The developing apparatus includes a developing roller and a developing housing. The developing roller is rotatable about the developing axis. The developing axis extends in the axial direction. The developing housing supports the developing rollers. The developing device is located between the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate in the axial direction.

(5) The developing device is movably supported by the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate with respect to the photosensitive drum. The developing housing has a developing opening. The drum cartridge may further include a receiving portion and a sealing member. With the toner cartridge supported by the drum cartridge, the receiving unit receives the toner cartridge. The receiving portion has a toner receiving port. With the toner cartridge supported by the drum cartridge, the toner inlet communicates with the toner outlet. The toner receiving port communicates with the developing opening of the developing housing. The seal member is located between the developing housing and the receiving portion. The sealing member surrounds the developing opening and the toner inlet.

According to such a configuration, the sealing member can prevent the toner that has entered the toner receiving port from leaking from between the receiving portion and the developing housing.

(6) The first drum side plate may have a first toner guide. When the toner cartridge is supported by the drum cartridge, the first toner guide guides one end of the toner cartridge in the axial direction. The first toner guide extends in the guide direction. The guide direction intersects the axial direction. The second drum side plate may have a second toner guide. When the toner cartridge is supported by the drum cartridge, the second toner guide guides the other end of the toner cartridge in the axial direction. The second toner guide extends in the guide direction.

(7) With the toner cartridge supported by the drum cartridge, the toner housing may be movable between the first position and the second position. With the toner housing located at the first position, the transfer residual toner receiving port is located away from the transfer residual toner discharge port. With the toner housing located at the second position, the transfer residual toner receiving port communicates with the transfer residual toner discharge port. With the toner housing in the first position, the toner cartridge is removable from the drum cartridge. With the toner housing in the second position, the toner cartridge is not removable from the drum cartridge.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the toner cartridge from being removed from the drum cartridge while the transfer residual toner discharge port and the transfer residual toner receiving port are in communication with each other.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the transfer residual toner from leaking.

(8) The drum cartridge may further include a lock member and a shutter. The locking member is movable between the locking position and the unlocking position. The locking member locks the toner housing to the second position while the toner housing is located at the second position and the locking member is located at the locking position. With the lock member in the unlocked position, the lock member unlocks the toner housing. The shutter can move between the shutter closed position and the shutter open position. With the shutter in the shutter closed position, the shutter closes the transfer residual toner discharge port. With the shutter in the shutter open position, the transfer residual toner discharge port opens. The shutter is located at the shutter closed position while the lock member is located at the unlocked position. The shutter is located at the shutter open position while the lock member is located at the lock position.

According to such a configuration, the toner housing can be locked by the lock member in a state where the toner housing is located at the second position and the transfer residual toner discharge port and the transfer residual toner receiving port are communicated with each other.

Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the toner cartridge from being removed from the drum cartridge while the transfer residual toner discharge port and the transfer residual toner receiving port are in communication with each other.

As a result, it is possible to further suppress the leakage of the transfer residual toner.

Further, the transfer residual toner discharge port can be closed by the shutter while the lock member is located at the unlocked position.

As a result, the leakage of the transfer residual toner can be further suppressed.

(9) The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a drum cartridge, a main body housing, and a drawer. The main body housing has an opening. The main body housing includes a cover. The cover can be moved between the cover closed position and the cover open position. With the cover in the cover closed position, the cover closes the opening. The opening opens with the cover in the cover open position. With the cover in the cover open position, the drawer can move in the moving direction between the inner and outer positions through the opening. The moving direction of the drawer intersects the axial direction. The drawer is located in the main body housing with the drawer located in the inner position. With the drawer located in the outer position, the drawer is located outside the main body housing. The drawer supports the drum cartridge.

(10) The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a toner cartridge. The drum cartridge may support the toner cartridge.

(11) With the drawer located at the outer position and the toner housing located at the first position, the transfer residual toner receiving port is from the transfer residual toner discharge port in the direction in which the drawer moves from the inner position to the outer position. May be located on the downstream side.

According to such a configuration, the user moves the drawer from the inner position to the outer position, and then moves the toner housing to the downstream side in the direction in which the drawer moves from the inner position to the outer position. The body can be positioned in the first position.

Therefore, the movement of the drawer to the outer position and the movement of the toner housing to the first position can be executed from the same side (downstream side in the direction in which the drawer moves from the inner position to the outer position).

As a result, the user can easily operate the drawer and the toner cartridge.

(12) The main body housing has a first end portion and a second end portion in the moving direction of the drawer. The first end has an opening. The second end is located away from the first end. With the drawer located at the outer position and the toner housing located at the first position, the transfer residual toner discharge port is located between the transfer residual toner receiving port and the second end in the moving direction of the drawer. You may.

According to the drum cartridge of the present disclosure, the user can easily hold the drum cartridge.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating the movement of the drawer shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the cover is located at the cover open position and the drawer is located at the outer position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge, showing a state in which the shutter is located in the closed position. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view passing through the transport device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 3, showing a state in which the shutter is located in the open position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the drum cartridge shown in FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view passing through a toner receiving port and a transfer residual toner discharging port. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge and the toner housing is located at the first position. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the toner housing is located at the second position, and the lock member is located at the unlocked position. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the toner cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge, the toner housing is located at the second position, and the lock member is located at the lock position. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge, showing a state in which the shutter is located in the closed position. FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 10, which is a cross-sectional view passing through a toner discharge port and a transfer residual toner receiving port. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 10, which is a cross-sectional view passing through the connection portion. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the toner cartridge shown in FIG. 10, showing a state in which the shutter is located in the open position.

1. 1. Image forming apparatus 1
The outline of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body housing 2, a sheet cassette 3, a drawer 4, four drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, and four toner cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C. , 6K, an exposure device 7, a belt unit 8, a transfer roller 9, and a fixing device 10.

1.1 Main body housing 2
The main body housing 2 includes a sheet cassette 3, a drawer 4, four drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K, four toner cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K, an exposure device 7, and a belt unit 8. , The transfer roller 9 and the fixing device 10 are housed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body housing 2 has a first end portion E1 and a second end portion E2 in the moving direction of the drawer 4. The second end E2 is located away from the first end E1 in the moving direction of the drawer 4.

The main body housing 2 has an opening 2A. The main body housing 2 includes a cover 2B.

The opening 2A is located at the first end E1 of the main body housing 2. In other words, the first end E1 has an opening 2A.

The cover 2B can move between the cover closed position (see FIG. 1) and the cover open position (see FIG. 2). When the cover 2B is located in the cover closed position, the cover 2B closes the opening 2A. When the cover 2B is located in the cover open position, the opening 2A opens.

1.2 Sheet cassette 3
As shown in FIG. 1, the seat cassette 3 can accommodate the seat S. The sheet S in the sheet cassette 3 is conveyed toward the transfer roller 9.

1.3 Drawer 4
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the cover 2B positioned at the cover open position, the drawer 4 passes through the opening 2A between the inner position (see FIG. 1) and the outer position (see FIG. 2). And can move in the direction of movement. As shown in FIG. 1, with the drawer 4 located in the inner position, all of the drawer 4 are located in the main body housing 2. As shown in FIG. 2, with the drawer 4 located at the outer position, at least a part of the drawer 4 is located outside the main body housing 2.

1.4 Drum Cartridge 5Y
The drum cartridge 5Y can be attached to the drawer 4. Specifically, the drum cartridge 5Y can be mounted on the drawer 4 with the drawer 4 located at the outer position. With the drum cartridge 5Y mounted on the drawer 4, the drawer 4 supports the drum cartridge 5Y. The drum cartridge 5Y mounted on the drawer 4 can be removed from the drawer 4 with the drawer 4 located at the outer position. As shown in FIG. 1, the drum cartridge 5Y includes a photosensitive drum 11Y, a charging device 12Y, and a developing device 13Y.

1.4.1 Photosensitive drum 11Y
The photosensitive drum 11Y extends in the axial direction. With the drum cartridge 5Y mounted on the drawer 4, the axial direction intersects the moving direction of the drawer 4. Preferably, with the drum cartridge 5Y mounted on the drawer 4, the axial direction is orthogonal to the moving direction of the drawer 4. The photosensitive drum 11Y has a cylindrical shape. The photosensitive drum 11Y is rotatable about the drum shaft A1. The drum shaft A1 extends in the axial direction.

14.2 Charging device 12Y
The charging device 12Y charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. In this embodiment, the charging device 12Y is a charging roller. The charging device 12Y may be a scorotron type charging device.

1.4.3 Developer 13Y
The developing device 13Y can supply toner to the photosensitive drum 11Y. Specifically, the developing device 13Y includes a developing housing 131Y and a developing roller 132Y.

1.4.3.1 Development housing 131Y
The developing housing 131Y can accommodate the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 6Y. The developing housing 131Y has a developing opening 133 (see FIG. 9). The toner supplied from the toner cartridge 6Y enters the developing housing 131Y through the developing opening 133. The developing housing 131Y supports the developing roller 132Y.

1.4.3.2 Development roller 132Y
The developing roller 132Y can supply the toner in the developing housing 131Y to the photosensitive drum 11Y. The developing roller 132Y comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 11Y. The developing roller 132Y may be separable from the photosensitive drum 11Y. The developing roller 132Y extends in the axial direction. The developing roller 132Y is rotatable about the developing shaft A11. With the drum cartridge 5Y mounted on the drawer 4, the developing shaft A11 extends in the axial direction.

1.5 Drum Cartridge 5M, 5C, 5K
Each of the drum cartridges 5M, 5C, and 5K will be described in the same manner as the drum cartridge 5Y.

Specifically, each of the drum cartridges 5M, 5C, and 5K can be attached to the drawer 4. With the drum cartridges 5M, 5C, and 5K mounted on the drawer 4, the drawer 4 supports the drum cartridges 5M, 5C, and 5K. Each of the drum cartridges 5M, 5C, and 5K mounted on the drawer 4 is removable from the drawer 4. Each of the drum cartridges 5M, 5C, and 5K is aligned with the drum cartridge 5Y in the moving direction of the drawer 4.

The drum cartridge 5M includes a photosensitive drum 11M, a charging device 12M, and a developing device 13M. The photosensitive drum 11M is rotatable about the drum shaft A2. The drum shaft A2 extends in the axial direction. The charging device 12M charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11M. The developing device 13M can supply toner to the photosensitive drum 11M.

The drum cartridge 5C includes a photosensitive drum 11C, a charging device 12C, and a developing device 13C. The photosensitive drum 11C is rotatable about the drum shaft A3. The drum shaft A3 extends in the axial direction. The charging device 12C charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11C. The developing device 13C can supply toner to the photosensitive drum 11C.

The drum cartridge 5K includes a photosensitive drum 11K, a charging device 12K, and a developing device 13K. The photosensitive drum 11K is rotatable about the drum shaft A4. The drum shaft A4 extends in the axial direction. The charging device 12K charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11K. The developing device 13K can supply toner to the photosensitive drum 11K.

1.6 Toner Cartridge 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K
Each of the toner cartridges 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K contains toner.

As shown in FIG. 2, the toner cartridge 6Y can be mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y. With the toner cartridge 6Y mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y, the drum cartridge 5Y supports the toner cartridge 6Y. The toner cartridge 6Y mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y can be removed from the drum cartridge 5Y. With the toner cartridge 6Y mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner cartridge 6Y can supply toner to the developing device 13Y.

The toner cartridge 6M can be mounted on the drum cartridge 5M. With the toner cartridge 6M mounted on the drum cartridge 5M, the drum cartridge 5M supports the toner cartridge 6M. The toner cartridge 6M mounted on the drum cartridge 5M can be removed from the drum cartridge 5M. With the toner cartridge 6M mounted on the drum cartridge 5M, the toner cartridge 6M can supply toner to the developing device 13M.

The toner cartridge 6C can be mounted on the drum cartridge 5C. With the toner cartridge 6C mounted on the drum cartridge 5C, the drum cartridge 5C supports the toner cartridge 6C. The toner cartridge 6C mounted on the drum cartridge 5C can be removed from the drum cartridge 5C. With the toner cartridge 6C mounted on the drum cartridge 5C, the toner cartridge 6C can supply toner to the developing device 13C.

The toner cartridge 6K can be mounted on the drum cartridge 5K. With the toner cartridge 6K mounted on the drum cartridge 5K, the drum cartridge 5K supports the toner cartridge 6K. The toner cartridge 6K mounted on the drum cartridge 5K can be removed from the drum cartridge 5K. With the toner cartridge 6K mounted on the drum cartridge 5K, the toner cartridge 6K can supply toner to the developing device 13K.

1.7 Exposure device 7
As shown in FIG. 1, with the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K mounted on the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 located at the inner position, the exposure apparatus 7 has the circumference of the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K. The surface can be exposed. In this embodiment, the exposure apparatus 7 is a laser scan unit.

1.8 Belt unit 8
The belt unit 8 is located below the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K with the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K mounted on the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 located in the inner position. The belt unit 8 includes an intermediate transfer belt 81 and transfer rollers 82Y, 82M, 82C, and 82K.

With the drum cartridges 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K mounted on the drawer 4 and the drawer 4 located in the inner position, the intermediate transfer belt 81 comes into contact with the photosensitive drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K.

The transfer roller 82Y transfers the toner of the photosensitive drum 11Y to the intermediate transfer belt 81. The transfer roller 82M transfers the toner of the photosensitive drum 11M to the intermediate transfer belt 81. The transfer roller 82C transfers the toner of the photosensitive drum 11C to the intermediate transfer belt 81. The transfer roller 82K transfers the toner of the photosensitive drum 11K to the intermediate transfer belt 81.

1.9 Transfer roller 9
The transfer roller 9 transfers the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 81 to the sheet S. Specifically, the sheet S conveyed from the sheet cassette 3 toward the transfer roller 9 passes between the transfer roller 9 and the intermediate transfer belt 81 and is conveyed to the fixing device 10. At this time, the transfer roller 9 transfers the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 81 to the sheet S.

1.10 Fixing device 10
The fixing device 10 heats and pressurizes the sheet S on which the toner is transferred to fix the toner on the sheet S. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 10 is discharged to the upper surface of the main body housing 2.

2. Details of Drum Cartridge 5Y Next, details of the drum cartridge 5Y will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9. The drum cartridges 5M, 5C, and 5K are described in the same manner as the drum cartridge 5Y. Therefore, the description of the drum cartridges 5M, 5C, and 5K will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drum cartridge 5Y has a first end portion E11 and a second end portion E12 in an intersecting direction intersecting the axial direction. The crossing direction intersects the axial direction. Preferably, the crossing direction is orthogonal to the axial direction. With the drum cartridge 5Y mounted on the drawer 4, the crossing direction also intersects the moving direction of the drawer 4. Preferably, with the drum cartridge 5Y mounted on the drawer 4, the crossing direction is orthogonal to the moving direction of the drawer 4. The photosensitive drum 11Y described above is located at the first end portion E11. The second end E12 is located away from the first end E11 in the crossing direction.

In addition to the above-mentioned photosensitive drum 11Y, charging device 12Y, and developing device 13Y, the drum cartridge 5Y includes drum side plates 51A and 51B, toner guides 52A and 52B, a receiving portion 53, a shutter 54, and a sealing member 55. A drum cleaner 56, a transfer device 57, a pipe 58, and a lock member 59 are provided.

2.1 Drum side plate 51A
The drum side plate 51A is located at one end of the drum cartridge 5Y in the axial direction. The drum side plate 51A extends in the intersecting direction. The drum side plate 51A has a surface S1 and a surface S2 in the axial direction. The surface S2 is located between the surface S1 and the drum side plate 51B in the axial direction. The drum side plate 51A has a hole H1, a hole H2, and a hole H3.

The hole H1 is located at the first end E11 of the drum cartridge 5Y. One end of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction is rotatably fitted in the hole H1. As a result, the drum side plate 51A supports one end of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction. The hole H1 has a circular shape.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hole H2 is located away from the hole H1. The hole H2 is located between the hole H1 and the receiving portion 53 in the crossing direction. The hole H2 is an elongated hole. The protrusion 134 of the developing device 13Y fits into the hole H2. With the protrusion 134 fitted in the hole H2, the protrusion 134 is movable with respect to the drum side plate 51A in the direction in which the hole H2 extends. The protrusion 134 is located at one end of the developing housing 131Y (see FIG. 3) in the axial direction. The protrusion 134 extends axially. The protrusion 134 has a cylindrical shape. The protrusion 134 may be the shaft of the developing roller 132Y (see FIG. 3).

The hole H3 is located away from the hole H2. The hole H3 is located between the hole H2 and the receiving portion 53 in the crossing direction. The hole H3 is an elongated hole. The hole H3 extends in the same direction as the hole H2. The protrusion 135 of the developing device 13Y fits into the hole H3. With the protrusion 135 fitted in the hole H3, the protrusion 135 is movable with respect to the drum side plate 51A in the direction in which the hole H3 extends. The protrusion 135 is located at one end of the developing housing 131Y (see FIG. 3) in the axial direction. The protrusion 135 extends axially. The protrusion 135 has a cylindrical shape.

The protrusion 134 fits into the hole H2 and the protrusion 135 fits into the hole H3, so that the drum side plate 51A supports one end of the developing device 13Y in the axial direction. With the protrusion 134 fitted in the hole H2 and the protrusion 135 fitted in the hole H3, the developing device 13Y can move with respect to the drum side plate 51A in the direction in which the hole H2 and the hole H3 extend.

2.2 Drum side plate 51B
As shown in FIG. 3, the drum side plate 51B is located at the other end of the drum cartridge 5Y in the axial direction. The drum side plate 51B is located away from the drum side plate 51A in the axial direction. The drum side plate 51B has a surface S3 and a surface S4 in the axial direction. The surface S4 is located between the surface S3 and the drum side plate 51A in the axial direction.

The drum side plate 51B supports the other end of the photosensitive drum 11Y in the axial direction. The drum side plate 51B supports the other end of the developing device 13Y in the axial direction. The developing device 13Y is located between the drum side plate 51A and the drum side plate 51B in the axial direction. The developing device 13Y is movably supported by the drum side plate 51A and the drum side plate 51B with respect to the photosensitive drum 11Y.

The drum side plate 51B will be described in the same manner as the drum side plate 51A. Therefore, the description of the drum side plate 51B is omitted.

2.3 Toner Guide 52A
The toner guide 52A is located on the surface S2 of the drum side plate 51A. The drum side plate 51A has a toner guide 52A. The toner guide 52A is located on the opposite side of the developing device 13Y with respect to the receiving portion 53 in the crossing direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner guide 52A extends in the guide direction. The guide direction intersects the axial direction. Specifically, the guide direction intersects the intersecting direction and is orthogonal to the axial direction. With the toner cartridge 6Y mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y and the drum cartridge 5Y mounted on the drawer 4, the guide direction intersects the moving direction of the drawer 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the toner guide 52A is a concave groove. When the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner guide 52A guides one end of the toner cartridge 6Y in the axial direction. Specifically, when the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner guide 52A guides one end of the second accommodating portion 612 (see FIG. 10) in the axial direction. The second accommodating portion 612 will be described later. More specifically, when the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner guide 52A guides the protrusion 62A (see FIG. 10) of the toner cartridge 6Y. The protrusion 62A will be described later.

2.4 Toner Guide 52B
The toner guide 52B is located on the surface S4 of the drum side plate 51B. The drum side plate 51B has a toner guide 52B. The toner guide 52B will be described in the same manner as the toner guide 52A. That is, the toner guide 52A is located on the opposite side of the developing device 13Y with respect to the receiving portion 53 in the crossing direction. The toner guide 52A extends in the guide direction. When the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner guide 52B guides the other end of the toner cartridge 6Y in the axial direction. Specifically, when the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner guide 52B guides the other end of the second accommodating portion 612 (see FIG. 10) in the axial direction. More specifically, when the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner guide 52B guides the protrusion 62B (see FIG. 10) of the toner cartridge 6Y. The protrusion 62B will be described later.

2.5 Receiving part 53
With the toner cartridge 6Y supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the receiving portion 53 receives the toner cartridge 6Y. Specifically, with the toner cartridge 6Y supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the receiving portion 53 receives the second accommodating portion 612 (see FIG. 10) of the toner cartridge 6Y. The receiving portion 53 extends in the axial direction. One end of the receiving portion 53 in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 51A. The other end of the receiving portion 53 in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 51B. The receiving portion 53 has a semi-cylindrical shape.

The receiving portion 53 has a toner receiving port 53A and two holes 53B and 53C.

The toner receiving port 53A is located at the center of the receiving portion 53 in the axial direction. The toner receiving port 53A communicates with the developing opening 133 (see FIG. 6) of the developing housing 131Y.

The hole 53B is located between the toner receiving port 53A and the drum side plate 51A in the axial direction. The hole 53B is located away from the toner inlet 53A in the axial direction.

The hole 53C is located between the toner receiving port 53A and the drum side plate 51B in the axial direction. The hole 53C is located on the opposite side of the hole 53B with respect to the toner receiving port 53A in the axial direction. The hole 53C is located away from the toner inlet 53A in the axial direction.

2.6 Shutter 54
The shutter 54 is attached to the receiving portion 53. The shutter 54 closes the toner receiving port 53A. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the shutter 54 is movable between the closed position (see FIG. 3) and the open position (see FIG. 5). With the shutter 54 in the closed position, the shutter 54 closes the toner inlet 53A. The toner receiving port 53A opens with the shutter 54 in the open position. The shutter 54 has a through hole 541, two through holes 542A and 542B, and two through holes 543A and 543B.

The through hole 541 extends in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 5, with the shutter 54 in the open position, at least a part of the through hole 541 communicates with the toner receiving port 53A. As a result, the toner receiving port 53A opens with the shutter 54 in the open position. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the through hole 541 is located away from the toner receiving port 53A in a state where the shutter 54 is located in the closed position.

The through hole 542A is located between the through hole 541 and the drum side plate 51A in the axial direction. The through hole 542A is located away from the through hole 541 in the axial direction. The through hole 542A extends in the moving direction of the shutter 54. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the through hole 542A communicates with the hole 53B both in the closed position and in the open position of the shutter 54.

As shown in FIG. 3, the through hole 542B is located between the through hole 541 and the drum side plate 51B in the axial direction. The through hole 542B is located on the opposite side of the through hole 542A with respect to the through hole 541 in the axial direction. The through hole 542B is located away from the through hole 541 in the axial direction. The through hole 542B extends in the moving direction of the shutter 54. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the through hole 542B communicates with the hole 53C in both the state in which the shutter 54 is located in the closed position and the state in which the shutter 54 is located in the open position.

The through hole 543A is located between the through hole 542A and the drum side plate 51A in the axial direction. The through hole 543A is located on the opposite side of the through hole 541 with respect to the through hole 542A in the axial direction.

The through hole 543B is located between the through hole 542B and the drum side plate 51B in the axial direction. The through hole 543B is located on the opposite side of the through hole 541 with respect to the through hole 542B in the axial direction.

2.7 Seal member 55
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the seal member 55 is located between the receiving portion 53 and the developing housing 131Y. The sealing member 55 seals between the receiving portion 53 and the developing housing 131Y. The sealing member 55 surrounds the toner receiving port 53A and the developing opening 133. The seal member 55 is made of, for example, a sponge.

2.8 Drum cleaner 56
As shown in FIG. 3, the drum cleaner 56 is located at the first end E11 of the drum cartridge 5Y. The drum cleaner 56 is located between the drum side plate 51A and the drum side plate 51B in the axial direction. The drum cleaner 56 extends axially. One end of the drum cleaner 56 in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 51A. The other end of the drum cleaner 56 in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 51B. The drum cleaner 56 collects the transfer residual toner. The transfer residual toner is toner that remains on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y without being transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 81.

As shown in FIG. 6, the drum cleaner 56 includes a cleaning housing 56A, a cleaning member 56B, and a screw 56C.

2.8.1 Cleaning housing 56A
As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning housing 56A is located between the drum side plate 51A and the drum side plate 51B in the axial direction. The cleaning housing 56A extends in the axial direction. One end of the cleaning housing 56A in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 51A. The other end of the cleaning housing 56A in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 51B.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning housing 56A has an opening 56D. The cleaning housing 56A accommodates the transfer residual toner.

2.8.2 Cleaning member 56B
The cleaning member 56B is attached to the cleaning housing 56A. The cleaning member 56B extends in the axial direction. The cleaning member 56B has a plate shape. The cleaning member 56B cleans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. Specifically, the edge of the cleaning member 56B comes into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. When the photosensitive drum 11Y rotates, the transfer residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y comes into contact with the edge of the cleaning member 56B and is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y. In other words, the transfer residual toner is removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 11Y by the cleaning member 56B. The removed transfer residual toner is housed in the cleaning housing 56A through the opening 56D.

2.8.3 Screw 56C
The screw 56C is located inside the cleaning housing 56A. The screw 56C extends in the axial direction. The screw 56C conveys the transfer residual toner in the cleaning housing 56A in the axial direction toward the transfer device 57 (see FIG. 3).

2.9 Transport device 57
As shown in FIG. 3, the transport device 57 is attached to the drum side plate 51A. The transport device 57 is located on the opposite side of the drum side plate 51B with respect to the drum side plate 51A in the axial direction. The transport device 57 extends in the crossing direction. The transport device 57 transports the transfer residual toner from the cleaning housing 56A to the pipe 58. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the transport device 57 includes a transport housing 57A, a belt conveyor 57B, and a screw 57C.

2.9.1 Transport housing 57A
The transport housing 57A is attached to the drum side plate 51A. The transport housing 57A is located on the opposite side of the drum side plate 51B (see FIG. 3) with respect to the drum side plate 51A in the axial direction. The transport housing 57A extends in the intersecting direction. The transport housing 57A accommodates the transfer residual toner transported by the screw 56C (see FIG. 6) of the drum cleaner 56.

2.9.2 Belt conveyor 57B
The belt conveyor 57B is located inside the transport housing 57A. The belt conveyor 57B conveys the transfer residual toner in the conveying housing 57A toward the pipe 58 in the intersecting direction.

2.9.3 Screw 57C
The screw 57C is located at the second end E12 of the drum cartridge 5Y. The screw 57C conveys the transfer residual toner conveyed by the belt conveyor 57B into the pipe 58. The screw 57C extends in the axial direction. One end of the screw 57C in the axial direction is located in the transport housing 57A. The other end of the screw 57C in the axial direction is located in the pipe 58.

2.10 pipe 58
As shown in FIG. 3, the pipe 58 is located at the second end E12 of the drum cartridge 5Y. The pipe 58 is located away from the photosensitive drum 11Y in the crossing direction. The pipe 58 is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 11Y with respect to the developing device 13Y in the crossing direction. The pipe 58 is located on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 11Y with respect to the receiving portion 53 in the crossing direction. The pipe 58 is located away from the receiving portion 53 in the crossing direction.

The pipe 58 is located between the drum side plate 51A and the drum side plate 51B in the axial direction. The pipe extends axially. One end of the pipe 58 in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 51A. The other end of the pipe 58 in the axial direction is connected to the drum side plate 51B. The pipe 58 has a cylindrical shape. The user can grab the pipe 58 when handling the drum cartridge 5Y. That is, the pipe 58 is a grip.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pipe 58 has a transfer residual toner discharge port 581. The transfer residual toner discharge port 581 is located at the center of the pipe 58 in the axial direction. The transfer residual toner discharge port 581 can discharge the transfer residual toner. The transfer residual toner conveyed by the transfer device 57 (see FIG. 3) is discharged from the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 through the pipe 58.

2.11 Lock member 59
As shown in FIG. 3, the lock member 59 is attached to the pipe 58. The lock member 59 is located at the center of the pipe 58 in the axial direction.

The lock member 59 locks the toner cartridge 6Y to the drum cartridge 5Y. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the toner housing 61 of the toner cartridge 6Y is in the first position (FIG. 7) with respect to the drum cartridge 5Y in a state where the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y. It is possible to move between the second position (see FIG. 8). The toner housing 61 will be described later. The lock member 59 is movable between the lock position (see FIG. 9) and the unlock position (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 9, the lock member 59 locks the toner housing 61 to the second position in a state where the toner housing 61 is located at the second position and the lock member 59 is located at the lock position. As shown in FIG. 8, the lock member 59 releases the lock on the toner housing 61 while the lock member 59 is located at the unlock position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lock member 59 has a shutter 59A, a protrusion 59B, and a lock lever 59C. In other words, the drum cartridge 5Y includes a shutter 59A.

2.11.1 Shutter 59A
The shutter 59A is a main body portion of the lock member 59. The shutter 59A extends in the axial direction. The shutter 59A has a cylindrical shape. The shutter 59A is located on the peripheral surface of the pipe 58. The shutter 59A is rotatable about the pipe 58. As a result, the lock member 59 is rotatable about the pipe 58.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the shutter 59A can move between the shutter closed position (see FIG. 8) and the shutter open position (see FIG. 9) with respect to the transfer residual toner discharge port 581. ..

As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter 59A is located at the shutter closed position while the lock member 59 is located at the unlocked position. With the shutter 59A positioned at the shutter closed position, the shutter 59A closes the transfer residual toner discharge port 581.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the shutter 59A is located at the shutter open position while the lock member 59 is located at the lock position. With the shutter 59A located at the shutter open position, the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 opens. Specifically, the shutter 59A has a shutter opening 591. With the shutter 59A located at the shutter open position, at least a part of the shutter opening 591 communicates with the transfer residual toner discharge port 581. As a result, the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 is opened. As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter opening 591 is located away from the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 in a state where the shutter 59A is located at the shutter closed position.

2.11.2 Protrusion 59B
As shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion 59B is located on the peripheral surface of the shutter 59A. The protrusion 59B protrudes from the peripheral surface of the shutter 59A. The protrusion 59B extends in the radial direction of the shutter 59A. The protrusion 59B may be attached to the shutter 59A.

2.11.3 Lock lever 59C
The lock lever 59C is located on the peripheral surface of the shutter 59A. The lock lever 59C is located away from the protrusion 59B. The lock lever 59C extends from the peripheral surface of the shutter 59A. The lock lever 59C may be attached to the shutter 59A.

3. 3. Details of Toner Cartridge 6Y Next, details of the toner cartridge 6Y will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. The toner cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K are described in the same manner as the toner cartridge 6Y. Therefore, the description of the toner cartridges 6M, 6C, and 6K will be omitted.

The "axial direction" and "crossing direction" in the following description of the toner cartridge 6Y are the "axial direction" and "crossing direction" of "with the toner cartridge 6Y supported by the drum cartridge 5Y and located at the second position". Direction ".

As shown in FIG. 10, the toner cartridge 6Y extends in the axial direction. The toner cartridge 6Y includes a toner housing 61, two protrusions 62A and 62B, two protrusions 63A and 63B, a shutter 64, two protrusions 65A and 65B, and a toner transfer member 66 (see FIGS. 11A and 11B). ), A shutter 67 (see FIG. 11A), and a lock pin 68 (see FIG. 11A).

3.1 Toner housing 61
The toner housing 61 extends in the axial direction. The toner housing 61 has a first end portion E21 and a second end portion E22 in the intersecting direction. The second end E22 is located away from the first end E21 in the crossing direction. The toner housing 61 has a first accommodating portion 611, a second accommodating portion 612, and two connecting portions 613A and 613B.

3.1.1 First containment unit 611
The first accommodating portion 611 is located at the second end portion E22 of the toner housing 61 in the crossing direction. The first accommodating portion 611 extends in the axial direction. The first accommodating portion 611 has a tubular shape. Specifically, the first accommodating portion 611 has a square tubular shape. The volume of the first accommodating portion 611 is larger than the volume of the second accommodating portion 612.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the first accommodating portion 611 has a recess 611A, a toner accommodating portion 611B, and a transfer residual toner accommodating portion 611C.

3.1.1.1 Recess 611A
The recess 611A is located at the second end E22 of the toner housing 61. The recess 611A is located away from the second accommodating portion 612 in the crossing direction. The recess 611A has an arc shape. The recess 611A has a transfer residual toner receiving port 611D. In other words, the toner housing 61 has a transfer residual toner receiving port 611D. The toner cartridge 6Y has a transfer residual toner receiving port 611D. The transfer residual toner receiving port 611D communicates with the internal space of the transfer residual toner accommodating portion 611C.

3.1.1.2 Toner storage unit 611B
The toner accommodating portion 611B can accommodate toner. As shown in FIG. 9, the toner in the toner accommodating portion 611B is supplied to the developing device 13Y in a state where the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y and the toner housing 61 is located at the second position.

3.1.1.13 Transfer residual toner storage unit 611C
As shown in FIG. 11A, the transfer residual toner accommodating portion 611C is located between the recess 611A and the second accommodating portion 612 in the crossing direction. The transfer residual toner accommodating unit 611C can accommodate the transfer residual toner. The internal space of the transfer residual toner accommodating portion 611C does not communicate with the internal space of the toner accommodating portion 611B.

3.1.2 Second containment unit 612
As shown in FIG. 10, the second accommodating portion 612 is located at the first end portion E21 of the toner housing 61 in the intersecting direction. The second accommodating portion 612 is located away from the first accommodating portion 611 in the crossing direction. The second accommodating portion 612 extends in the axial direction. The second accommodating portion 612 has a cylindrical shape. The second accommodating portion 612 has a toner discharge port 614. In other words, the toner cartridge 6Y has a toner discharge port 614.

The toner discharge port 614 is located at the center of the second accommodating portion 612 in the axial direction. The toner discharge port 614 is located between the protrusion 63A and the protrusion 63B in the axial direction. The toner discharge port 614 extends in the axial direction. The toner discharge port 614 can discharge toner.

3.1.3 Connections 613A, 613B
The connecting portion 613A is located between one end of the first accommodating portion 611 in the axial direction and one end of the second accommodating portion 612 in the axial direction. The connecting portion 613A connects one end of the first accommodating portion 611 in the axial direction and one end of the second accommodating portion 612 in the axial direction.

The connecting portion 613B is located between the other end of the first accommodating portion 611 in the axial direction and the other end of the second accommodating portion 612 in the axial direction. The connecting portion 613B is located at a distance from the connecting portion 613A in the axial direction. The connecting portion 613B connects the other end of the first accommodating portion 611 in the axial direction and the other end of the second accommodating portion 612 in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the second accommodating portion 612 communicates with the toner accommodating portion 611B via the connecting portion 613A. Similarly, the second accommodating portion 612 communicates with the toner accommodating portion 611B via the connecting portion 613B (see FIG. 10). The toner in the first accommodating portion 611 passes through the connecting portions 613A and 613B and enters the second accommodating portion 612.

3.2 Protrusions 62A, 62B
As shown in FIG. 10, the protrusion 62A is located at one end of the toner cartridge 6Y in the axial direction. The protrusion 62A is located at one end of the second accommodating portion 612 in the axial direction. The protrusion 62A projects from one end of the second accommodating portion 612 in the axial direction. The protrusion 62A projects in the axial direction.

The protrusion 62B is located at the other end of the toner cartridge 6Y in the axial direction. The protrusion 62B is located at the other end of the second accommodating portion 612 in the axial direction. The protrusion 62B protrudes from the other end of the second accommodating portion 612 in the axial direction. The protrusion 62B protrudes in the axial direction.

3.3 Protrusions 63A, 63B
The protrusion 63A is located between the toner discharge port 614 and the protrusion 62A in the axial direction. The protrusion 63A is located between the shutter 64 and the protrusion 62A in the axial direction. The protrusion 63A is located on the opposite side of the first accommodating portion 611 with respect to the second accommodating portion 612 in the crossing direction. The protrusion 63A extends from the peripheral surface of the second accommodating portion 612.

The protrusion 63B is located away from the protrusion 63A in the axial direction. The protrusion 63B is located on the opposite side of the protrusion 63A with respect to the toner discharge port 614 in the axial direction. The protrusion 63B is located between the toner discharge port 614 and the protrusion 62B in the axial direction. The protrusion 63B is located on the opposite side of the protrusion 63A with respect to the shutter 64 in the axial direction. The protrusion 63B is located between the shutter 64 and the protrusion 62B in the axial direction. The protrusion 63B is located on the opposite side of the first accommodating portion 611 with respect to the second accommodating portion 612 in the crossing direction. The protrusion 63B extends from the peripheral surface of the second accommodating portion 612.

3.4 Shutter 64
The shutter 64 is located between the connecting portion 613A and the connecting portion 613B in the axial direction. The shutter 64 is located on the peripheral surface of the second accommodating portion 612. The shutter 64 is movable with respect to the toner discharge port 614 between the closed position (see FIG. 10) and the open position (see FIG. 12). The shutter 64 closes the toner discharge port 614 with the shutter 64 in the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 12, the toner discharge port 614 opens with the shutter 64 in the open position. The shutter 64 extends in the axial direction. The shutter 64 has a cylindrical shape. The shutter 64 has an opening 641. The opening 641 extends axially. With the shutter 64 in the open position, at least part of the opening 641 communicates with the toner outlet 614.

As shown in FIG. 10, with the shutter 64 in the closed position, the opening 641 is located away from the toner discharge port 614.

3.5 Protrusions 65A, 65B
The protrusion 65A is located on the peripheral surface of the shutter 64. The protrusion 65A extends from the peripheral surface of the shutter 64. The protrusion 65A is located between the opening 641 and the protrusion 63A in the axial direction.

The protrusion 65B is located away from the protrusion 65A in the axial direction. The protrusion 65B is located on the opposite side of the protrusion 65A with respect to the opening 641 in the axial direction. The protrusion 65B is located on the peripheral surface of the shutter 64. The protrusion 65B extends from the peripheral surface of the shutter 64. The protrusion 65B is located between the opening 641 and the protrusion 63B in the axial direction.

3.6 Toner Conveying Member 66
As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the toner transport member 66 is located in the second accommodating portion 612. The toner transport member 66 is rotatable about the shaft A21. The shaft A21 extends in the axial direction. The toner transport member 66 extends along the shaft A21. The toner transport member 66 is
The toner that has entered the second accommodating portion 612 through the connection portion 613A is conveyed toward the toner discharge port 614, and the toner that has entered the second accommodating portion 612 through the connection portion 613B is transferred to the toner discharge port 614. Transport towards.

3.7 Shutter 67
As shown in FIG. 11A, the shutter 67 is located at the second end E22 of the toner housing 61 in the crossing direction. The shutter 67 is located in the recess 611A. The shutter 67 is a curved plate. The shutter 67 extends along the recess 611A. The shutter 67 has an arc shape. The shutter 67 is movable between the closed position (see FIG. 8) and the open position (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 8, the shutter 67 closes the transfer residual toner receiving port 611D with the shutter 67 in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 9, the transfer residual toner receiving port 611D opens with the shutter 67 in the open position.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the shutter 67 has a through hole 671.

3.8 Lock pin 68
The lock pin 68 is located at the second end E22 of the toner housing 61 in the crossing direction. The lock pin 68 is located in the recess 611A. The lock pin 68 is movable between the lock position (see FIG. 11A) and the unlock position (see FIG. 8) with respect to the shutter 67 located at the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the lock pin 68 fits into the through hole 671 of the shutter 67 with the shutter 67 in the closed position and the lock pin 68 in the locked position. As a result, the lock pin 68 locks the shutter 67 to the closed position while the shutter 67 is located at the closed position and the lock pin 68 is located at the locked position. In other words, the lock pin 68 stops the shutter 67 from moving from the closed position to the open position.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the lock pin 68 is disengaged from the through hole 671 of the shutter 67 in a state where the shutter 67 is located at the closed position and the lock pin 68 is located at the unlocked position. As a result, the lock pin 68 releases the lock on the shutter 67 while the shutter 67 is in the closed position and the lock pin 68 is in the unlock position. In other words, the lock pin 68 allows the shutter 67 to move from the closed position to the open position.

3.9 Mounting the toner cartridge 6Y on the main body housing 2 When mounting the toner cartridge 6Y on the main body housing 2, the operator first mounts the toner cartridge 6Y on the drum cartridge 5Y. The drum cartridge 5Y may be removed from the drawer 4 or may be mounted on the drawer 4 located at the outer position.

When mounting the toner cartridge 6Y on the drum cartridge 5Y, the operator first fits the protrusion 62A (see FIG. 10) into the toner guide 52A (see FIG. 3), and then fits the protrusion 62B (see FIG. 10) into the toner guide 52B (see FIG. 10). Fit into (see Fig. 3).

As a result, the second accommodating portion 612 of the toner cartridge 6Y is guided toward the receiving portion 53 by the toner guide 52A and the toner guide 52B. As shown in FIG. 7, the second accommodating portion 612 fits into the receiving portion 53.

Then, the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y. At this time, the toner housing 61 is located at the first position.

With the toner cartridge 6Y supported by the drum cartridge 5Y and the toner housing 61 positioned at the first position, the protrusion 65A (see FIG. 10) passes through the through hole 542A (see FIG. 3) of the shutter 54 and receives the toner cartridge 6Y. It fits into the hole 53B (see FIG. 3) of the portion 53, and the protrusion 65B (see FIG. 10) passes through the through hole 542B (see FIG. 3) of the shutter 54 and enters the hole 53C (see FIG. 3) of the receiving portion 53. It fits. The shutter 64 is fixed to the receiving portion 53 by fitting the protrusion 65A into the hole 53B of the receiving portion 53 and fitting the protrusion 65B into the hole 53C of the receiving portion 53.

Further, the protrusion 63A (see FIG. 10) fits into the through hole 543A (see FIG. 3) of the shutter 54, and the protrusion 63B (see FIG. 10) fits into the through hole 543B (see FIG. 3) of the shutter 54. The protrusion 63A fits into the through hole 543A of the shutter 54, and the protrusion 63B fits into the through hole 543B of the shutter 54, so that the shutter 54 can move together with the toner housing 61.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the operator moves the toner housing 61 from the first position to the second position. At this time, the toner housing 61 pivots to the second accommodating portion 612.

Then, by moving the toner housing 61 from the first position to the second position, the shutter 64 is positioned from the closed position to the open position with respect to the toner housing 61. Further, the shutter 54 moves from the closed position to the open position as the toner housing 61 moves from the first position to the second position.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the toner housing 61 is located at the second position, the shutter 64 is located at the open position and the shutter 54 is located at the open position. Then, in a state where the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y and the toner housing 61 is located at the second position, the toner discharge port 614 communicates with the toner receiving port 53A. As a result, the toner receiving port 53A can accept the toner discharged from the toner discharging port 614.

When the toner housing 61 is located at the second position, the shutter 67 of the toner cartridge 6Y comes into contact with the lock member 59 of the drum cartridge 5Y. Specifically, with the toner housing 61 located at the second position, the shutter 67 located at the closed position comes into contact with the lock member 59 located at the unlocked position. Then, the protrusion 59B of the lock member 59 fits into the through hole 671 of the shutter 67 while moving the lock pin 68 from the lock position (see FIG. 7) to the unlock position (see FIG. 8). As a result, the shutter 67 can move from the closed position to the open position together with the lock member 59.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the operator moves the lock member 59 from the unlocked position to the locked position. Then, as the lock member 59 moves, the shutter 59A moves from the shutter closed position to the shutter open position, and the shutter 67 moves from the closed position to the open position.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the lock member 59 is located at the lock position, the toner housing 61 is locked at the second position. Specifically, with the lock member 59 positioned at the lock position, the protrusion 59B of the lock member 59 extends in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the toner housing 61 from the second position to the first position. In this state, since the protrusion 59B of the lock member 59 is fitted in the through hole 671 of the shutter 67, the toner housing 61 cannot move from the second position to the first position. As a result, the toner cartridge 6Y cannot be removed from the drum cartridge 5Y. That is, the toner cartridge 6Y cannot be removed from the drum cartridge 5Y in the state where the toner housing 61 is located at the second position.

Further, when the lock member 59 is located at the lock position, the shutter 59A is located at the shutter open position and the shutter 67 is located at the open position, and the transfer residual toner receiving port 611D communicates with the transfer residual toner discharge port 581. That is, the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner housing 61 is located at the second position, the shutter 59A is located at the shutter open position, and the shutter 67 is located at the open position. The toner receiving port 611D communicates with the transfer residual toner discharging port 581. As a result, the transfer residual toner receiving port 611D can accept the transfer residual toner discharged from the transfer residual toner discharge port 581.

This completes the mounting of the toner cartridge 6Y on the drum cartridge 5Y. The "state in which the toner cartridge 6Y is mounted on the drum cartridge 5Y" means that the toner cartridge 6Y is supported by the drum cartridge 5Y, the toner housing 61 is located in the second position, and the lock member 59 is located in the lock position. To say.

Next, when the drum cartridge 5Y is removed from the drawer 4, the operator positions the drawer 4 at the outer position and supports the drum cartridge 5Y on which the toner cartridge 6Y is mounted by the drawer 4. Next, the operator moves the drawer 4 from the outer position to the inner position.

When the drum cartridge 5Y is supported by the drawer 4 located at the outer position, the operator moves the drawer 4 from the outer position to the inner position after the toner cartridge 6Y is completely attached to the drum cartridge 5Y. Let me.

As described above, the mounting of the toner cartridge 6Y on the main body housing 2 is completed.

3.10 Removal of Toner Cartridge 6Y from Main Body Housing 2 To remove the toner cartridge 6Y from the main body housing 2, the operator first moves the drawer 4 from the inner position to the outer position.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 8, the operator moves the lock member 59 from the lock position (see FIG. 9) to the unlock position (see FIG. 8).

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the shutter 59A is located at the shutter closed position and the shutter 67 is located at the closed position while the lock member 59 is located at the unlocked position.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 7, the operator moves the toner housing 61 from the second position (see FIG. 8) to the first position (see FIG. 7).

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, with the toner housing 61 located at the first position, the shutter 64 is located at the closed position and the shutter 54 is located at the closed position.

Further, with the toner housing 61 located at the first position, the transfer residual toner receiving port 611D is located away from the transfer residual toner discharge port 581. Further, the shutter 67 is located away from the lock member 59 in a state where the toner housing 61 is located at the first position. Further, the toner housing 61 is located away from the pipe 58 in a state where the toner housing 61 is located at the first position. As a result, the toner cartridge 6Y can be removed from the drum cartridge 5Y in a state where the toner housing 61 is located at the first position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the drawer 4 is located at the outer position and the toner housing 61 is located at the first position, the transfer residual toner is received in the direction in which the drawer 4 moves from the inner position to the outer position. The inlet 611D (see FIG. 7) is located downstream of the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 (see FIG. 7). In other words, with the drawer 4 located at the outer position and the toner housing 61 located at the first position, the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 (see FIG. 7) receives the transfer residual toner in the moving direction of the drawer 4. It is located between the inlet 611D (see FIG. 7) and the second end E2 of the main body housing 2.

Next, the operator removes the toner cartridge 6Y from the drum cartridge 5Y. This completes the removal of the toner cartridge 6Y from the main body housing 2.

4. Action effect (1) According to the drum cartridge 5Y, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a pipe 58 extending in the axial direction between the drum side plate 51A and the drum side plate 51B.

Therefore, the user can grab the pipe 58 and hold the drum cartridge 5Y.

As a result, the user can easily hold the drum cartridge 5Y.

(2) According to the drum cartridge 5Y, as shown in FIG. 6, the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 is located at the center of the pipe 58 in the axial direction.

Therefore, the transfer residual toner can be discharged from the central portion in the axial direction.

As a result, the transfer residual toner can be uniformly stored in the transfer residual toner accommodating portion 611C for accommodating the discharged transfer residual toner in the axial direction.

(3) According to the drum cartridge 5Y, as shown in FIG. 6, the seal member 55 is located between the developing housing 131Y and the receiving portion 53. The sealing member 55 surrounds the developing opening 133 and the toner receiving port 53A.

Therefore, the seal member 55 can prevent the toner that has entered the toner receiving port 53A from leaking from between the receiving portion 53 and the developing housing 131Y.

(4) According to the drum cartridge 5Y, as shown in FIG. 9, the transfer residual toner receiving port 611D communicates with the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 in a state where the toner housing 61 is located at the second position. With the toner housing 61 positioned at the second position, the toner cartridge 6Y cannot be removed from the drum cartridge 5Y.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the toner cartridge 6Y from being removed from the drum cartridge 5Y while the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 and the transfer residual toner receiving port 611D are in communication with each other.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the transfer residual toner from leaking.

(5) According to the drum cartridge 5Y, as shown in FIG. 9, the lock member 59 is the toner housing 61 in a state where the toner housing 61 is located at the second position and the lock member 59 is located at the lock position. To the second position.

Therefore, the toner housing 61 can be locked by the lock member 59 in a state where the toner housing 61 is located at the second position and the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 and the transfer residual toner receiving port 611D are communicated with each other.

As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the toner cartridge 6Y from being removed from the drum cartridge 5Y while the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 and the transfer residual toner receiving port 611D are in communication with each other.

As a result, it is possible to further suppress the leakage of the transfer residual toner.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the shutter 59A is located at the shutter closed position while the lock member 59 is located at the unlocked position.

As a result, the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 can be closed by the shutter 59A while the lock member 59 is located at the unlocked position.

As a result, the leakage of the transfer residual toner can be further suppressed.

(6) According to the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the drawer 4 is moved from the inner position to the outer position in a state where the drawer 4 is located at the outer position and the toner housing 61 is located at the first position. In the moving direction, the transfer residual toner receiving port 611D (see FIG. 7) may be located downstream of the transfer residual toner discharge port 581 (see FIG. 7).

Therefore, the user moves the drawer 4 from the inner position to the outer position, and then moves the toner housing 61 to the downstream side in the direction in which the drawer 4 moves from the inner position to the outer position, whereby the toner housing 61 is moved. Can be located in the first position.

As a result, the movement of the drawer 4 to the outer position and the movement of the toner housing 61 to the first position can be executed from the same side (downstream side in the direction in which the drawer 4 moves from the inner position to the outer position). can.

As a result, the user can easily operate the drawer 4 and the toner cartridge 6Y.

5. Modification Example The toner cartridge 6Y may be a developing cartridge including a developing roller 132M. In this case, the drum cartridge 5Y does not include the developing device 13Y and the receiving portion 53.

1 Image forming device 2 Main body housing 2A Opening 2B Cover 4 Drawer 5Y Drum cartridge 6Y Toner cartridge 11Y Photosensitive drum 13Y Developing device 51A Drum side plate 51B Drum side plate 52A Toner guide 52B Toner guide 53 Receiving part 53A Toner inlet 55 Seal member 56 Drum Cleaner 56A Cleaning housing 56B Cleaning member 57 Conveyor device 58 Pipe 59 Lock member 59A Shutter 61 Toner housing 131Y Development housing 132Y Development roller 133 Development opening 581 Transfer residual toner discharge port 611D Transfer residual toner inlet 614 Toner discharge port A1 Drum Axis A11 Development axis

Claims (12)

A photosensitive drum that can rotate about a drum axis that extends in the axial direction,
It ’s a drum cleaner,
A cleaning member that cleans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and
A cleaning housing that houses the transfer residual toner removed from the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum by the cleaning member, and
With a drum cleaner and
A first drum side plate that supports one end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction, and
A second drum side plate that is located away from the first drum side plate in the axial direction and supports the other end of the photosensitive drum in the axial direction.
A pipe located between the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate in the axial direction, extending in the axial direction, one end in the axial direction connecting to the first drum side plate, and the axial direction. With a pipe whose other end is connected to the second drum side plate,
A drum cartridge including a transport device for transporting the transfer residual toner from the cleaning housing to the pipe. The drum cartridge that supports a toner cartridge including a toner housing having a toner discharge port capable of discharging toner and a transfer residual toner receiving port capable of receiving the transfer residual toner.
The pipe
It is a transfer residual toner discharge port capable of discharging the transfer residual toner, and is characterized by having a transfer residual toner discharge port communicating with the transfer residual toner receiving port in a state where the toner cartridge is supported by the drum cartridge. The drum cartridge according to claim 1. The drum cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the transfer residual toner discharge port is located at a central portion of the pipe in the axial direction. A developing apparatus including a developing roller that is rotatable about a developing shaft extending in the axial direction and a developing housing that supports the developing roller is further provided.
The drum cartridge according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the developing apparatus is located between the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate in the axial direction. The developing device is movably supported by the first drum side plate and the second drum side plate with respect to the photosensitive drum.
The developing housing has a developing opening and has a developing opening.
The drum cartridge is
A receiving portion that receives the toner cartridge while the toner cartridge is supported by the drum cartridge, and a toner receiving port that communicates with the toner discharge port while the toner cartridge is supported by the drum cartridge. A receiving portion having a toner receiving port communicating with the developing opening of the developing housing, and a receiving portion.
The fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the sealing member is located between the developing housing and the receiving portion, and further includes the developing opening and the sealing member surrounding the toner receiving inlet. Drum cartridge. The first drum side plate is a first toner guide that guides one end of the toner cartridge in the axial direction when the toner cartridge is supported by the drum cartridge, and extends in a guide direction intersecting the axial direction. Has a first toner guide
The second drum side plate is a second toner guide that guides the other end of the toner cartridge in the axial direction when the toner cartridge is supported by the drum cartridge, and is a second toner extending in the guide direction. The drum cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the drum cartridge has a guide. In the state where the toner cartridge is supported by the drum cartridge, the toner housing has a first position where the transfer residual toner receiving port is located away from the transfer residual toner discharge port and the transfer residual toner receiving port. It is possible to move between the transfer residual toner discharge port and the second position communicating with the transfer residual toner discharge port.
With the toner housing located in the first position, the toner cartridge can be removed from the drum cartridge.
The drum according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the toner cartridge cannot be removed from the drum cartridge in a state where the toner housing is located at the second position. cartridge. The drum cartridge is
With the toner housing located at the second position, it is possible to move between the lock position that locks the toner housing at the second position and the unlock position that unlocks the toner housing. Lock member and
A shutter that can be moved between the shutter closing position that closes the transfer residual toner discharge port and the shutter open position that opens the transfer residual toner discharge port.
To prepare for
With the lock member located at the unlocked position, the shutter is located at the shutter closed position.
The drum cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the shutter is located at the shutter open position while the lock member is located at the lock position. The drum cartridge according to claim 1 and
A main body housing having an opening, the main body housing including a cover that can be moved between a cover closing position that closes the opening and a cover opening position that opens the opening.
With the cover located at the cover open position, the inner position located inside the main body housing and the outer position located outside the main body housing intersect the axial direction through the opening. A drawer that is movable in the direction and supports the drum cartridge,
An image forming apparatus comprising. With the toner cartridge
The drum cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the drum cartridge that supports the toner cartridge and the drum cartridge.
A main body housing having an opening, the main body housing including a cover that can be moved between a cover closing position that closes the opening and a cover opening position that opens the opening.
With the cover located at the cover open position, the inner position located inside the main body housing and the outer position located outside the main body housing intersect the axial direction through the opening. An image forming apparatus that is a drawer that can move in a direction and includes a drawer that supports the drum cartridge. In the state where the toner cartridge is supported by the drum cartridge, the toner housing has a first position where the transfer residual toner receiving port is located away from the transfer residual toner discharge port and the transfer residual toner receiving port. It is possible to move between the transfer residual toner discharge port and the second position communicating with the transfer residual toner discharge port.
With the drawer located at the outer position and the toner cartridge located at the first position, the transfer residual toner receiving port is transferred in the direction in which the drawer moves from the inner position to the outer position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is located on the downstream side of the residual toner discharge port. The main body housing has a first end portion having the opening and a second end portion separated from the first end portion in the moving direction of the drawer.
In the state where the toner cartridge is supported by the drum cartridge, the toner housing has a first position where the transfer residual toner receiving port is located away from the transfer residual toner discharge port and the transfer residual toner receiving port. It is possible to move between the transfer residual toner discharge port and the second position communicating with the transfer residual toner discharge port.
With the drawer located at the outer position and the toner cartridge located at the first position, in the moving direction of the drawer, the transfer residual toner discharge port is the transfer residual toner receiving port and the second end. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is located between the portions.

Images